why can't we add symbols such as alpha, beta, to the form fields? or other scientific symbols

[Jack-of-all-traits]

I cut out some data (strings) from a word document and placed them into
my memo field in the form, but noticed the alpha symbol changed to a
square box. This seems to happen with any unusual symbols that appear
in the original text such as greek letters or scientific literature.

There are several greek alphabet symbols used in science to describe
variables, and objects, including equations such as E= mc (superscript 2).
or beta-cyclomextol but the beta is a B greek symbol.

So how can I get access 2002 in xp pro to paste the symbols, do i have
to add something to it somehow like a language extension? how do I do
this, please help.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I cut out some data (strings) from a word document and placed them
into my memo field in the form, but noticed the alpha symbol changed
to a square box. This seems to happen with any unusual symbols that
appear
in the original text such as greek letters or scientific literature.

There are several greek alphabet symbols used in science to describe
variables, and objects, including equations such as E= mc
(superscript 2). or beta-cyclomextol but the beta is a B greek symbol.

So how can I get access 2002 in xp pro to paste the symbols, do i have
to add something to it somehow like a language extension? how do I do
this, please help.

That is a problem with the font you are using, not Access. In computers
letters become numbers. Each font maps these numbers to certain letters.
The Greek beta symbol is not available in all fonts. Sometimes that number
will be mapped to a different letter. In this case the box most likely
means that noting is mapped for that number.

It is a little chancy using any non-standard character as they will only
work on machines that will use the same font to display the text and not all
computers have all the same fonts available. When a computer does not have
the requested font, it just makes a guess.

 

[John Nurick]

Hi Jack,

Access text and memo fields only store text. Unlike Word they don't
allow for any variation of formatting within the text. Probably the
symbols in your Word document were created with the Insert Symbol
command, or perhaps by formatting the individual characters in a
different font from the body text (e.g. Symbol).

To get round this in Access, you the simplest way is to use a Unicode
font that contains all the characters and symbols you need. For example,
the "Lucida Sans Unicode" font, which is part of most modern Windows
installations, contains among others Western European, Central European,
Greek, and many mathematical symbols. If you use the same font in Word,
text and symbols should copy and paste between the two OK.

Alternatively - but it's more complicated - you can store RTF
(formatted text) strings in Access and use a rich text control on a form
to display them.